According to Nupe tradition there were five ‘original’ sub-tribes in existence at the time of the culture-here of Nupe, Tsoede, namely the Ebe, Beni, Ebagi, Bataci and Dibo. The origin of Kyedye and Gbedegi is linked, in this tradition, with the coming of Tsoede. The riverain Kyedye are supposed to have come with him to Nupe country and to have been settled by him along the river Niger and established as the Lords of the water and local rulers over the aboriginal inhabitants of the area, the marsh-dwelling Bataci. The Gbedegi are believed to have been of Yoruba origin, and to have been Nupe-ised by Tsoede and his men.